Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-08-27
But the Lad CIV. Himself Away by
Ills Ravishing Comments.

father believed that the way to get
along with boys was to be reasonably
honest with them, and to tell them
souarelv what was expected of them
and then put them on their honor in the
matter of performing their duties. SO
before the baseball season commenced
JohnnIe's father called the boy to him
and saidl
Now, Johnnie, l admit I'm pretty
fond of a good game of base ball. 1
don't 60 merely to see the game but rs
a needful matter of relaxation. l like
to see the science of the game. Be-
sides, | have n great many business
cares that YOU know nothing of at your
age, and it Is necessary that | should
have some means of forgetting them
now and then. But am anxious that
YOU should pass into the high school
this wear, and so | don't want you to
90 10 any of the ball games until you
pass your examinations. You under
stand me?'
20, yes," said Johnnie, "but don't
YOU think it would relax my mind, too.
from the hard studies if l saw q game
now and then?n
"Well, frankly, Johnnie, | don't.
Base ball would distract your mind, not
relax it. Besides, when the school closes
I'll take you up TO game with me, ana
l will explain all the points to YOU"
Thank you. father said Johnnie,
demurelv, as he wc2t off to school.
When the examinations were over john
MES father was as good as his word,
and Johnnie took his place beside him
on the grand stand.
Now" said Johnnie's father. 81
suppose you have seen games of base
ball played at school. "
johnnie admitted that such was the
case.
WELL" I suppose you play by league
rules; still, if there are any points YOU
don't understand. Just ask me and I'll
explain them. There comes the other
club. Those are not the DetrGits.
You'll see them by and BY. The Phila-
delphias are gong 10 practice BIT
They always do that before the game
starts. That's to timber them up"
Johnnie listened with that respectful
attention which boy should always
| give TO II father.
There" began the latter, "thosc
are the Detroits White uniform.
That's the umpire in the gray suit.
suppose Won don't have umpires in
you're games at school"
80. yes we do" said Johnnie;
couldn't get along without an umpire,
you know.
That gong" continued Johnnie
father, means that the game is TO be-
gin. The Detroits 90 to the bat. No
BY George, the Detroits are going to
the field"
Hello" cried Johnnie, "fhere's
Deacon White back at third. I'm glad.
| like that old deacon. He's great with
the stick when the boys get in close
pinch"
If Johnnie had not been interested in
the game he might have noticed al
ominous gloom settle on his father:
brow.
"Three strikes and four balls" con
tinued Johnnie, getting very excited
"Next one tells the tale. All! a fou
tip; red-hot one, too. l guess j.
Cancel had been catching he'd go
that one"
what makes you think SOP" saiC
Johnnie's father severely.
''Oh. you know Cancels great OIL
the catch. Remember that game will
the -" At this moment Johnni,
seemed to recollect himself. He look
ed up uneasily at his father and STAN
mered: "Well, the papers say he's ;
good catcher"
You seem to have read the base
ball reports pretty carefully" sale
Johnnie's father, sternly.
ooh, / do" stammered Johnnie.
Remarkable how they enable you tc
recogn re Deacon White"
Johnnie lad no explanation of thai
phenomenon handy at that moment 8,
he said nothing.
AT the last innings Detroit was foul
ahead of the opponents. There was ;
Philadelphia man on third base. Thu
pitcher threw wild ball which the
catcher could not get his hands on
The man on third base started fo
home.
Go back" cried the coachcr. ant
the man went back TO third.
| utt I'LL "
work." sad JOhnnie's father 10 Tia,
J man next to him; that fellow coul'
have got home easily. Why did the,
stop h mp"
"Tm sure 1 don't know" said John
MES fathers neighbor.
"Oh. that was good play" cries
Johnnie, enthusiastically. Don't yo
SEQ the Philadelphia need four 10 ii
the game? Ones no good to them
Now if that man went home the catcl
er would put off his mask and 20 bac
TO the rear. They want to keep hin
close behind the bat. don't you see?
gives the batter 4 better chance"
Thanks for the explanation" sai
Johnnie's father, coldly.
: Johnnie began to feel the chills 90 u
and down his back and wished he ha
: not showed quite so mush knowledg
of the game.
!. When they got home Johnnie
!. father said to him:
IF it is convenient for you l woul
like TO see you out in the barn"
5 Johnnie looked ut his father a m,
ment and said
= DO YOU intend to thrash me?"
! Don't you think you deserve it? Yc
have disobeyed me and you have lie
to me-"
Il didn't lie. because didn't say
wasn't going to the games"
ooh. didn't You? l suppose now.
you were in my place and | in your
you wouldn't say word about the dist
bedience?"
mo, wouldn't"